Blütenstielchen

Blütenstielchen, also known as a pedicel, is a stalk that supports a single flower within an inflorescence. It is the stalk connecting the flower to the main stem or branch of the plant. In plants with solitary flowers, the term peduncle is often used for the stalk that directly supports the flower. However, when a flower is part of a cluster or arrangement of flowers, the individual stalks of each flower are referred to as Blütenstielchen or pedicels.

The length and thickness of a Blütenstielchen can vary greatly among different plant species, influencing the overall appearance and arrangement of the flowers. These stalks are crucial for positioning the flowers, allowing them to be accessible to pollinators and facilitating the dispersal of pollen and seeds. They are typically green and herbaceous, similar to the main stem, and contain vascular tissues that supply the flower with water and nutrients.

In some cases, the Blütenstielchen may be absent, a condition known as sessile. This means the flower is directly attached to the stem without a stalk. The presence or absence, as well as the morphological characteristics of the Blütenstielchen, are often used as important features in plant identification and classification. They play a functional role in the reproductive biology of flowering plants by mediating the connection between the vegetative parts of the plant and the reproductive structure.